2027 Best Value Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Occupational Therapy/Therapist](/majors/health-care-professions/rehab-and-therapeutic-professions/occupational-therapy-therapist/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 44 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for occupational therapy/therapist students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in occupational therapy/therapist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools
Leading the list is University Of Illinois At Chicago, our #1 best value for occupational therapy/therapist in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $16,666. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $59,408 early in their careers. Set against $16,666 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Saginaw Valley State University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Set in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,930, while out-of-state students pay about $30,450. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $18,500. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $60,685. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. Saginaw Valley State University admits about 72% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in occupational therapy/therapist will find it at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Students borrow a median of $22,937 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $55,713. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
Indiana State University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,258, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $25,582 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $73,947. That is a strong return on a $25,582 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of Michigan Flint came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,236, compared with $27,790 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $31,016. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Michigan Flint generally make around $76,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Indiana University South Bend landed the #6 spot for occupational therapy/therapist value this year. Located in the city of South Bend, Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $24,640 in student loans. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Indiana University South Bend earn a median of $47,733 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,640 median debt. Indiana University South Bend admits about 84% of applicants.
Andrews University placed #7 among the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Set in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $35,056. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $21,951. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $72,144. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Governors State University landed the #8 spot for occupational therapy/therapist value this year. Governors State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Park. Students from in state pay about $12,004 in tuition and fees. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $24,990 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $69,605. That is a strong return on a $24,990 median debt. Governors State University admits about 48% of applicants.
University Of Southern Indiana came in at #9 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. In-state tuition and fees average $10,066, with out-of-state students paying around $22,907. Students borrow a median of $21,999 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Southern Indiana earn a median of $64,181 early in their careers. Set against $21,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Southern Indiana admits about 96% of applicants.
Wayne State University earned the #10 position for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Students borrow a median of $26,689 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $67,191. Set against $26,689 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Chicago State University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Chicago State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,754, compared with $12,757 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $43,322 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Chicago State University generally make around $67,878. Set against $43,322 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. Students from in state pay about $13,334 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $58,719. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Carroll University landed the #13 spot for occupational therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the city of Waukesha, Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,890. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,904 in student loans. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Carroll University earn a median of $71,185 early in their careers. Set against $26,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Western Michigan University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Students borrow a median of $26,668 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $60,669 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,668 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Cleveland State University came in at #15 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,982, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,336 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $66,152. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Shawnee State University landed the #16 spot for occupational therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the town of Portsmouth, Shawnee State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,448, with out-of-state students paying around $16,032. Students borrow a median of $25,233 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Shawnee State University generally make around $64,138. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #17 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $55,121. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earned the #18 position for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,070, compared with $19,517 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,374 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse generally make around $61,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse admits about 76% of applicants.
Baker College Of Flint earned the #19 position for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Baker College Of Flint is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Owosso. Students from in state pay about $13,000 in tuition and fees. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $41,000 in student loans. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Baker College Of Flint earn a median of $46,774 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $41,000 median debt. Baker College Of Flint admits about 82% of applicants.
Grand Valley State University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,502, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $65,197 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Eastern Michigan University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. In-state tuition and fees average $16,990. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $27,425. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $43,271 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,425 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Lewis University placed #22 among the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Set in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,200. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $24,838 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $55,718. Set against $24,838 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
University Of Toledo earned the #23 position for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,157, while out-of-state students pay about $21,517. Students borrow a median of $24,875 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Toledo generally make around $55,685. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #24 among the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $22,053. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $70,332 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #25 among the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $23,982. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $56,485. That is a strong return on a $23,982 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Rest of the Top 44 Best Value Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in occupational therapy/therapist:
Narrow Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools by State
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 44 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 44 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
